Tennessee In Free Fall After Loss To Texas A&M

Once again, without Josiah-Jordan James and Julian Phillips, the Vols had an uphill battle from the start to end of the slide to get a road win over a red-hot Texas A&M team. While they battled to the end, some free throws from the team that depends on them the most iced the game. A final score of 68-63 kept the Aggies in the race for first in the SEC, while Tennessee is now in grave danger of losing a double-bye spot.

To beat Texas A&M, you must keep them off the line, and Tennessee could not do that. The Aggies finished the game shooting 34 free throws and making 28 of them. Even a team that relies on free throws as much as Texas A&M usually doesn't get 34 attempts.

Most free throws came because of Wade Taylor lV and Julius Marble. Taylor, who finished with 25 points, was extremely effective off the dribble and using his quickness to get in the lane. Buzz Williams also established a clear game plan from the get-go with Marble. It was clear they liked the matchup inside with Marble as some of the Tennessee bigs, and they were right as Marble finished the game with 21 points. Marble also contributed to the Vols getting in foul trouble, as Jonas Aidoo had to sit in the first half and fouled out of the game.

From the Tennessee side, it was again apparent how much this team misses James on offense. Santiago Vescovi and Jahmai Mashack are great players in their own ways, but making a play off of a pin-down is not their strength. It's extremely difficult for Rick Barnes to be able to run a lot of his offense without James. Overall, the Vols had three in double figures. Vescovi finished with 14 and was 4-10 from three. Zeigler had 14 as well but didn't shoot the ball great, and then Olivier Nkamhoua had a very nice night with 13 points.

Upcoming for the Vols is a much-needed "breather game" at home against South Carolina. Tennessee should be close to 20-point favorites against the Gamecocks right before the final week of the regular season. While the Vols certainly want to finish the regular season on a strong note and grab that double bye in the SEC Tournament, tonight showed that priority one needs to be getting and staying healthy.

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